Cleaning gold marker/pen off carts

ObeastObeast
in Help Wanted!
Today, I bought a SNES and some games from a girl on Craigslist for $70. I saw in the picture of the lot she sent me that some of the games had someone's names written on them. I assumed they were the usual Sharpie or some other permenant marker, but as it turns out it's some gold marker or pen possibly used by art students. I did the usual rubbing alcohol + Q-tip and paper towel routine we all know and love, but it's not coming out. I read online that a pencil eraser works well for removing this gold pen ink, which it does, but I'm afraid it's taking some of the plastic off with it, which I don't want to happen.



Has anyone else encountered this mysterious foe and know the secrets on how to defeat it? I can feel my newly acquired copy of Turtles in Time weeping from being molested by gold ink.

Comments

  • p33jayp33jay
    Have you tried a Mr Clean Magic Eraser? That's usually my go to for when I can't get something clean..

    I never dealt with that marker though
  • ObeastObeast

    Originally posted by: p33jay



    Have you tried a Mr Clean Magic Eraser? That's usually my go to for when I can't get something clean..

    I never dealt with that marker though





    I have not, mostly becasue I've heard those can be very abrasive and can smooth out the texture on carts (which is what I think the pencil eraser trick is doing). I'll try one of those as a last resort if worse comes to worse.
  • p33jayp33jay
    Really? Are we talking about the same thing. They're very smooth, I've never had an abrasion issue. next time your at the store take one out the package & feel it. Its not like an SOS pad or anything.
  • bearcat-dougbearcat-doug
    I had a cart with some silver marker on it that came right off with a magic eraser and it didn't any damage to the texture on the cart.
  • K.ThrowerK.Thrower
    Magic Eraser WILL polish the surface of any cart if you rub long enough. It is a micro abrasive, as smooth as it feels. It takes a bit of rubbing, but it is in line with the amount necessary to remove some stubborn inks.



    If the ink is not coming off pretty quickly with the magic eraser, which I do recommend first, try some Dot 3 brake fluid to dissolve the ink. It may take several applications depending on the ink, but you will see it running each time you apply and it will not polish the cart. Actually, using the magic eraser to rub the ink spot after the brake fluid is applied is my preferred method, as they work together well. Rinse and repeat, literally.
  • Cartridge CollectorCartridge Collector
    The magic eraser does have some sort of a chemical reaction or something that breaks down the plastic slightly. I have used it many times with great results but when rubbing too hard the surface smooths out on the carts in that area. I think thats what Obeast is saying. It is definately my choice for cleaning marker off of carts and scuffs on systems as well.



  • ObeastObeast
    I'll have to try a Magic Eraser then the next time I go to a store that sells them (which I guess is almost any store that sells cleaning stuff). Thanks for the advice, guys! I hope that it works out so I can have a nice clean set of SNES games to play.
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